Mergen, an engineer, returns to Tuva, dreaming of working for its betterment. Tuva is developing, with new houses and electricity reaching remote areas. However, the chairman of the collective farm, Elbek, opposes building a bridge across the turbulent mountain river. Meanwhile, Adar, the son of old Kawai-ool, has forgotten his countrymen and stayed in the city. The old man tried to bring Adar home, but he refused. Adar’s fiancée, Oyunmaa, waits for him in vain, disliking the sycophantic Daji who courts her. But the old bridge was destroyed by water, forcing Elbek to agree to a new one. Adar also returns to Tuva, and his friends and fiancée welcome him joyfully.